A robber was presented with a ‘golden oppurtunity’

A robber was presented with a ‘golden oppurtunity’ when his
elderly victim walked out of a post office with a large wad of cash,
a court heard today (Mon).

Sixty-three-year-old John William had just collected pnds
stlg 655 in pension owed to his elderly mother when ‘desperate’
Andrew Miller jostled him and snatched his wallet.

But Miller, 24, of Dickens Avenue, Tilbury – who admitted
robbery – was also given a golden opportunity by a judge to
avoid going to prison.

After considering psychiatric and social inquiry reports Judge
Peter Jackson decided to give him a ‘very big chance’ and deferred
sentence until November 9.

Judge Jackson made conditions that Miller makes regular
appointments with a probation officer, and to receive psychiatric
treatment, adding: ‘Do I send you to prison or not? I want you to
make it impossible for me to do so.

If you let me down you know
what will happen.

‘
Snaresbrook Crown Court had heard how during the afternoon of
December 20 last year Mr William had collected his mother’s pension
from a post office in Ardleigh Green Road, Hornchurch.

‘As he reached into his car he felt an arm in his pocket.

He was
jostled and his wallet was forcibly taken from him,’ said Mr Keith
Mitchell, prosecuting.

But fortunately two police officers who had witnessed the
mugging gave chase and arrested Miller nearby.

They recovered the wallet with all its contents from some
bushes, the court was told.

‘Mr William suffered no physical injury but the incident left
him shaken up and he has been nervous since,’ said counsel.

Quizzed by detectives Miller said he had been drinking that day
and ‘desperately’ needed money because Christmas was coming up.

‘He said he was presented with a golden opportunity.

He said he
didn’t intend to hurt the victim.

He just snatched the money and ran
away,’ added Mr Mitchell.

Miller had previous convictions for criminal damage and
possessing an offensive weapon.

ENDS